Irving Moskowitz, Doer not Talker

The late Irving Moskowitz, Z"Tz"L, used his money for the good of the Jewish People. He was a giant. He made history and changes.

Moskowitz, who was among the most prominent financial backers of Jewish communities in eastern Jerusalem and across Judea and Samaria, passed away last Thursday at his home in Florida. He was 88 years old.
Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav, eulogized Moskowitz.
“He was pure life. We are crestfallen. Much can be said about the man and his work, ‘the man on the wall’ [guarding the city]; the ‘president of Jerusalem,’ as my father called him, now joins the many great people who worked to restore [Jerusalem] to its former greatness.”
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat also spoke at the funeral, remembering Moskowitz as a “pioneer” and “man of vision”.
“Today we lay to rest a pioneer… a man of vision who saw the rebuilding of Jerusalem as his purpose in life. Irving was one of the first to invest and to donate to the development of Jewish settlement in eastern Jerusalem, [something which] came from an understanding of and belief in its importance and a deep sense of public [service].” (Arutz 7)

Through The Moskowitz Foundation, founded in 1968 with his wife, Cherna, Moskowitz donated untold millions of dollars to buy homes and institutions for Jews in eastern Jerusalem’s primarily Arab neighborhoods via Ateret Cohanim and the Ir David Foundation.
“The hundreds of families of the Old City, the old Yemenite village of Shiloach, Ir David, Ma’aleh Hazeitim, Shimon Hatzaddik, Kidmat Zion, Abu Tor, Beit Orot and the future families of Ganei Yitzchak are all ‘his families and homes,’” Executive Director of Ateret Cohanim Daniel Lauria said on Sunday. (Jerusalem Post)

I didn't know him personally, but I like many enjoyed and benefitted from his generosity 

Baruch Dayan Ha'emet

HaMakom Yinachem

There is NO Way to WALL OUT TERRORISM!!

Admittedly, since I'm not home, I haven't read or heard much news. Yesterday someone mentioned to me that my State of Israel had announced they would wall out the terrorists, try to block the Arab terror tunnels by creating some science fiction type of underground wall so the terrorists can't tunnel into Israel.

Duh?!?

I can't imagine anything more ridiculous. When the "greens" protest the damage to the Land, fauna and flora they will have a good  point.

In terms of sheer size land scope it seems totally impossible.

And it won't stop terrorism at all. Again it's like the cutting of the brooms in the animated movie Fantasia.

To stop the Arab terrorism we must get in their mindset and not act so wimpy, apologetic and technological. It's like trying to combine bubbles with staplers, or making a "pile" of water, thinking it's like trash or rubble. You can't sweep water into a corner. Terror is a psychological mindset, a combination of sociopath, ideology, brainwashing.

It is terribly dangerous to project one's own mentality onto the terrorists, thinking that the logic or goodness that would convince you to do something would influence a terrorist. The truth is that it just shows our weakness and makes them stronger and more confident.

A wall is just something to bypass. We must defeat the terrorists militarily, psychologically and politically. Nothing else will do it!!

Keep to The Right, Better Than Wrong

When I was on my way to the plane I saw this.

interesting

I find it interesting that "right" means "correct." And when someone is talking about a klutz, it's said that the klutz has "two left feet," or "two left hands."

What do you think? Comment please, thanks

So It'll Be Hillary versus Trump

Hillary Clinton is now the first woman to be in the running, barring anything unforeseen, as nominee for a major party for the Presidency of the United States. And if I'm not mistaken, Donald Trump is the first to be in the running, barring anything unforeseen, as nominee for a major party for the Presidency of the United States who isn't coming from a political, public service or military background, (at least in modern times re:Trump.)

photo credit

And unlike other nominees over the years, nobody is parve, neutral about these two. Either you love or hate one or the other or both...

Hillary has been in the news for decades, sort of overcooked, and I've liked her less and yes. Overcooked is the word, like how disgusting vegetables, especially green vegetables get when they are stewed forever. I don't like her policies and I don't like her as a person. I would have respected her more if she had thrown out her philandering Bill decades ago. But apparently their marriage is one of those unconventional ones, which somehow lasts. I don't trust her politically at all. She knows how to pick good speechwriters and deliver powerful speeches. Keep her on the stage performing, but don't take her seriously. She'll say anything for a vote and a headline.

Trump is also a good performer. Nobody is quite sure what his policies would be if elected. His personal life isn't any more classically "perfect" than Hillary's, but he has been more open about it. Ex-wives are pretty hard to hide, as are premarital photos of the present wife. He also has a knack to pick good staff, which is how he has made so much money on his mega building projects.

So, yes, they do have a lot in common and are similar ages.

But still, as an Israeli, I have no doubt that Hillary will be bad for Israel. And I have a feeling that Trump will try to stay clear besides the usual pally visits to meet the players here.

The next few months should be pretty entertaining. Hold onto your hats....

Make Your Plans for Rosh Chodesh Tammuz!

Ladies, Gd willing we will have our Women's Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, on the 1st of Tammuz, Thursday, July 7.

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma

Tel Shiloh Rosh Chodesh Tamuz

Thursday July 7, 2016

1st of Tammuz, 5776, 8:15*am

Hallel and Musaf for Rosh Chodesh

Tour of Tel Shiloh

Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש תמוז

בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה

יום ה' 7\7 א' תמוז, תשע"ו *8:15

הלל ומוסף לראש חודש

יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל

כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Here in Shiloh, there is plenty of space, and the shechina Gd's presence remains from days that the Mishkan Holy Tabernacle rested for 369 years, from Joshua to Samuel the Prophet.

archaeologists at work

Over the millennia, even long after, the Mishkan Holy Tabernacle had been destroyed Jews and non-Jews have made their pilgrimages to Shiloh to pray and tour. Even Mark Twain had it on his itinerary.

There's lots more to do at Shiloh Hakeduma besides our monthly prayers, so I suggest that you contact them and visit. For more information call 02-994-4019. 

PS If you'd like to organize transportation, then contact Ben Levine of Awesome Tours. He has a supersized van, a bus that has room for fifteen 15 passengers comfortably. He'll help you arrange a truly inspiring Rosh Chodesh (or any day) in Shiloh.

*כצת מוקדם בגלל החום של קיץ
A bit earlier because of the summer heat

Tel Aviv is Not Immune

Pictures: פלאש 90, מרים אלסטר
Arutz 7

In welcome contrast to other Arab terror attacks in the Tel Aviv area, this time I didn't hear the inaccurate and annoying:

"Why here in --? This isn't the  westbank!" 

And the terror attack even got top billing on BBC.

I truly hope that Israelis of all stripes will finally recognize that the Arab terrorists want Tel Aviv more than they want Tel Zion!

Road Improvements to Make Life Better for Those in Binyamin and Shomron

Sometimes Jerusalem seems so far away. That's when there are major traffic jams at what's known as Kikar Adam, Adam Square and junction between the roads to Jerusalem, Adam, Ramallah and Benjamin County which leads to Samaria to the north. That short couple of miles from the Pisgat Zeev neighborhood of Jerusalem to Sha'ar Binyamin, just north of Adam can take even a half hour or more instead of five minutes.

For years we have been told that there are plans to widen, modernize the junction, We've been told of tunnels and overpasses, but until a few months ago, when we noticed work being done, we didn't believe any of the officials.

Last year the traffic jams during rush hour to Jerusalem became so intolerable I began sleeping in Jerusalem Tuesday nights so I could easily get to my Wednesday morning classes in Matan. Now, it's the highlight of my week, since I get to see my Jerusalem kids and all sorts of friends, go to events, the Israel Museum and eat out.

But a few months ago, we actually noticed changes. Of course I have absolutely no idea when it will all be finished. People went into a panic when as an "April Fool's Joke" it was announced that the area of the Adam Junction would be closed for a few months and we'd have to detour far to the east and enter/exit Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus.

Here are some recent photos.

The Arabs Have Returned!

We were all wondering how long it would take, but as the local Muslim Arabs began preparing for their Ramadan Holiday, when they buy lots of nice clothes for their children and themselves and feast all night, after a long day of fasting, the prices, quality and selection in Rami Levy and Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin became too attractive to ignore.

The fears of revenge terror by Jews and the "confiscations" by the PA Police have kept many away for the past few years. That is except for this season, since according to reports by our loyal Arab customers, Arab women with fluent English from years living abroad, there is no comparison between what they can buy here in Jewish shops and what is sold even in Ramallah, the largest Arab city in the area.

In Rami Levy and Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin we experience the peaceful coexistence that the Leftists and Liberals claim to strive for. We work and shop together. But for some very fokokt reason, the Leftists and Liberals do everything in their power to sabotage it.

To make things very clear, I do not work in Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin for any ideological, idyllic agenda. Actually, when I was offered the job in the store, all I could think of was making a salary, even a small one, since we desperately needed more monthly income. Adjusting to work with Arabs was a lot easier than I could have predicted. When they come to us to shop they respect the fact that we Jews own the stores. They are strict with their children and keep them in line when shopping, which not all Jews are willing to do. I'm a pragmatist, and have no doubt that if the ideologues would just butt out, life would be a lot more peaceful.

Why is Mainstream Media Ignoring Arab Terrorism?

I keep getting alerts on facebook and from the Jewish Press about all sorts of terror attacks against Jewish vehicles etc. But when I check the Jerusalem Post and other mainstream media, there's nary a mention.

Terrorist Opens Fire on Passing Cars

Soldiers near Neve Tzuf following a terror attack - June 6, 2016
Photo Credit: Ehud Amitun / TPS

Obviously, they are trying to give the impression that the terrorists have ceased to terrorize us, which is totally false.

Terror is a war for the destruction of the State of Israel, Gd forbid. We must take that into account and fight it to surrender.

A Six Days War IDF Soldier Tells his Story

Yesterday, in honor of Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, the Shiloh Golden Agers/Senior Citizen program invited one of the neighbors to tell his story as a an IDF soldier during the 1967 Six Days War. Yes, if you've done the math, you know that age-wise he's also a senior citizen, but a very busy one who doesn't go the the activities. Most of the regulars are actually immigrants, and yesterday's crowd was mostly English speakers, so the coordinator was happy when I surprised everyone and walked in, since I do lots of translating for them when I can. Of course, no surprise to you, my translations are full of "commentary."

Our neighbor grew up on Tirat Tzvi, a religious kibbutz in the north of Israel.

Kibbutz Tirat Zvi was established on 21st of Tammuz, 5697, (June 30, 1937) as a "Tower and Stockade" settlement intended to mark the southern limit of Jewish settlement in the Bet Shean Valley.
Its first decade was marked by ceaseless struggle for existence against extremely difficult climatic conditions, swamps, malaria, tense day-to-day relations with local Arabs, and periodic organized enemy assault.
On the 6th of Adar 56, 5708, (February 16th, 1948), the one hundred primitively armed members of Tirat Zvi repelled a coordinated attack by over six hundred regular Iraqi troops.

He knew very well of the frequent Syrian shelling/sniping on the Jewish communities in his area coming from the Syrian held Golan Heights.

After a summary of the pre-Six Days War threats from the Egyptians and Syrians, and the cooperation of the United Nations, which readily removed its "peacekeeping forces" from the area to facilitate the Arab attack on Israel, we heard our neighbor's story.

Instead of the usual call-up codes on the radio, which at that time was the entertainment and news source for Israelis, the IDF conducted an unprecedented "quiet call up" of reservists, going literally house to house to gather troops and take them to various bases for pre-war preparation. You should know that at that time, very few Israelis had telephones. Our neighbor was called on Shabbat, Friday night after dinner, and taken to his base. On the way they picked up other soldiers.

At the base they got their equipment and then went to another location where they began to train for an assault on the Golan Heights; each unit was assigned a different section.

All the while, Egypt, Syria and Iraq, well supplied by the USSR, continued with their threats of war, while Jordan remained silent. The Israeli Government kept hoping that Jordan would desist in joining the expected attack on Israel.

Early in the morning June 5, 1967, while unknown to my neighbor and his unit, Israel had launched an attack on the airfields of Syria, Egypt, Jordan and what could be reached in Iraq. What my neighbor and his fellow soldiers saw was something else. Suddenly two unmarked and unfamiliar planes flew over them. Within seconds Israeli planes reached them and began an air battle, yes, just like in the movies. One of the unmarked planes went down, and then the second one. Afterwards they found out that those were Iraqi planes and that was pretty much Iraq's participation in the war to annihilate and destroy the State of Israel.

Contrary to facts on the ground, Egypt and Syria continued to broadcast optimistic and inaccurate news that they were marching on Tel Aviv and Haifa. They urged King Hussein of Jordan to join in or they would take over the areas his country had been occupying since 1949, the so called West Bank, Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley.

In the meantime, my neighbor's unit had been told to change plans and went to the mountains looking over Shechem, Grizim and Eval. In the dark of the night, they literally found the Jordanian tank corps with their "pants down," sound asleep in pajamas. When the Jordanians realized that the IDF had found them they fled, leaving their brand new American fully equipped tanks* for Israel to adopt.

When they got to Shechem, they sent an Arabic speaking IDF soldier to find the mayor and offer him a deal. The mayor agreed and entered the police compound, where the Jordanian legion was lodged, equipped with a white flag for surrender. After a short while, the Jordanian flag was lowered and white one raised.

At some point during all of this, suddenly my neighbor realized that he was part of the liberating of our Holy Land, the City of Shechem in which our Forefathers had lived and Joseph is buried. 

Then, to collect all of the weapons the Arabs had, they were told that they had 48 hours to bring weapons to the square without any repercussions, punishment. If any weapons were to be found in homes after that the punishment would be fierce. It worked, and the IDF got a lot of weapons from the arabs.

At one point, someone arrived with a newspaper heralding the liberation of Jerusalem the Kotel (western wall) and Har HaBayit (the Temple Mount.) Until then, my neighbor hadn't a clue as to what was going on in the rest of the country.

His unit was finally sent to secure a section of the Golan Heights, but not the section they had been prepared for. And remember that the entire war took only Six Days.

The 1967 Six Days War was a miracle of Biblical proportions. Of this I have absolutely no doubt!!

*The Americans had refused to sell tanks to Israel, but obviously had no problems equipping the Jordanians. Also the USSR had been equipping the Egyptians and Syrians. Israel had inferior weaponry, since the best suppliers boycotted our country. 

Jerusalem Day: Reflecting on 49 Years

For Jews of my generation and older, the 1967 Six Days War was a watershed event, unforgettable and inspiring. For many Jews it was life-changing, too.

There were two major results of the Six Days War:

• Israel miraculously survived and completely defeated three enemy Arab armies, Egypt, Syria and Jordan.
• Israel liberated the illegally occupied Jordan Valley, Judea, Samaria and the eastern parts of Jerusalem including the Walled City and Temple Mount, along with the Sinai and Golan Heights.

All three aggressor countries lost land as a result of the war. If you look at World History, in every single war in which an aggressor loses land in defeat, the land is then part of the victorious country. But here, almost a half a century later, Israel is under all sorts of attacks, diplomatic and terror/military to cede land fairly won to its enemies or a new invented "country." 

It would be nice if I could blame our enemies and faux friends for Israel's problems. But the sad and tragic truth is that it was the State of Israel that is the cause of today's security/terrorist problem and the awful diplomatic pressures we suffer.

Even before the dust had settled, while the world looked on in complete awe, the State of Israel should have immediately and unconditionally annexed all of the Land we liberated, from the northern tip of the Golan until the Suez Canal to the east at the Jordan River. All remnants of the "green line" should have been erased, ground to dust. Not only should the barriers that had been scarring Jerusalem been taken down, but Jews should have been allowed and encouraged to live in every single neighborhood, not just what became known as the "Jewish Quarter" of the Old City. Not only the wonderful and thriving Jewish neighborhoods which were built, like Ramat Eshkol, Gilo, Ramot etc. but housing for Jews should have been built in Shuafat, Beit Hanina, Beit Jalla etc. That anti-Jewish apartheid we still suffer should never have been allowed to continue. 

Judea and Samaria should have had been open for Jewish communities just like the Golan and the Jordan Valley were. And of course we should never have returned the key to Har Habayit, the Temple Mount to the Wakf. A synagogue should have had been built for Jews to pray with full religious rights on the Temple Mount. 

If the Israeli Government had annexed and opened all of the newly liberated Land, the world would have accepted it, even more Jews than the masses who did make aliyah in the euphoric post-Six Days War era would have arrived and the Moshiach/Messiah would be here, too.

Gd gave the Jewish People and Jewish State a great miracle, a military victory in 1967, and our government spit in Gd's face. For that we are suffering to this day, and we must find a way to correct this awful sin. Only then will there be true peace!!